Thankful 2016

Thankful to reflect upon last week and just be in awe of what the Lord has done in our lives and be thankful for all his goodness... which some days I don't take as good... but we know everything He sends our way is for our good :)

Last week began with a field trip to Shedd Aquarium.

These were my 4 angels. 

 

The whole posse! 

Thankful that last spring, I took my dad's cousin up on his offer to snag a freebie rubber maid tub of white lights... finally when we busted out our Christmas decor, we got to hang lots of pretty lights!

Thankful that we had Wednesday off of work and school, although Matt had to work, love his 3pm finish time!!, and this free day was super productive ( and went WAY too fast ;))

 Thankful for Hannah being totally obsessed with decorating, and thankful that I had the self control to not touch any of the ornaments once she hung them :) It's okay if 1/2 the tree is bald right!? ;) 

Super duper thankful for the peace we found in just doing our own thang for the holidays. 

Seriously a blessing to just unwind in the city for a couple nights, explore, see the sights, no real agenda other than soaking in family time, and  we were able to find a new fave hotel spot, a mile from Matt's work, which made his morning commute each day, a breeze! 

Thankful for the love that the community has to share so much good food and warm blankets with PGM. The donations this weekend were crazy, and the food was DELISH! 

We were blessed with 2 thanksgiving meals at PGM & another official meal later in the week :)

Thankful that Matt's alarm went off at 6am on Thanksgiving day, so that we got to enjoy the WHOLE day, and get ready for the parade, which I had NO idea was happening RIGHT outside our hotel!? I literally almost cried of happiness that my parade loving self, could actually attend this festivity- and I had thought ahead of all the bundling needed for city walks, so the kids were warm-ish, and happy the whole time :)

  eek!! We are here RIGHT by tom  the turkey. :) :) :)

 Hannah was just thrilled to know that she got to eat hot dogs at 7am :)

  Here they come!

Finally time for Dad to come pick us up to enjoy Thanksgiving gospel and a turkey dinner catered at PGM by Levy Restaurant.

 Thankful for our Moana date on Thanksgiving evening- the theater was ours.... This movie is a must see. Somehow it really spoke to us?! The listen to your calling part was actually moving, crazy what God will use - even a Disney movie :)

 Thankful for a city drive at night.

 Pumpkin Pie?  No thanks, we want milkshakes and sundaes ;)

 Matt was blessed by having a parking spot at work all week, so we saved oodles of cash by parking the van there instead of the hotel... and then one of us ( namely Matt ;)), trekked back to our hotel ... these 2 got quality time in for sure. XO

 Thankful for sweet texts from the beautiful grown up chica Marian ...that I used to bbsit when she was itty bitty!!!! Love that we stayed in touch over the many years and many miles. Love her love of Dunkin too :)

Thankful that we were blessed with good company at the end of our week and had a blast enjoying friendships, and RV shopping. This is what Hannah and I think of all that ;)

Headed home sweet home!

Just what I needed to start this week! Praying  the strong Spirit shows up and shows off today and every day!

11.21.16

Thankful for our Sleeping Beauty.
She tries our patience endlessly, she is determined and loves doing her own thing, for every single area of life.... She is one of a kind and such a crazy unique colorful energetic blessing that, at times like this, I need the gentle reminders from Heaven, when she is sleeping, of how angelic, innocent and beautiful she is. And the prayers we pray for God to protect her ( and our boys too of course), are countless. Bubble wrap these munchkins please!!

Thankful that Hudson's speech is progressing.... he is obsessed with numbers and counting and I am in awe of his progress! Still praying he can pull it together with his socialization, spitting mouthfuls of water isn't the best way to make friends ;)

 Thankful for a fun new way to use dominos in math.

Turkey Tuesday! 

 Thankful that while Matt had to visit AZ for a court date, {he was in and out, case dismissed} ...
he captured the new Dunks right by our old house.... insert all the sob faces now... the 80 degree fall temps AND a brand new dunks!? Oh man.

 

                                                               Look at cutie pie Gracie!! Growing up fast and loving Kindergarten! 

Thankful that my job is flexible enough to be around for the special days at school for Hannah.

 Fabulous Magic Show at her school!

How perfect is this bulletin board?! Every detail is flawless.  And those two faces are pretty cute too ;)

Thankful for texts with flashback pics in them!!! Miss these itty bitty faces!!!

Loved seeing pics of how Matt & the team served breakfast to everyone last week!

  (That's Pastor Green, Matt's boss in maroon)

Thankful that my mom was able to get a day in the life experience of middle school with Big H!

 So excited to have been there to see big H as the school's mascot during Volleyball!

A nap saved this guy from a haircut, hoping for try #2 this week ;)

Saw this as we were driving to work.... A lobster food truck.... why didn't we think of that!?!

Thankful for moola  from Matt's parents for a dinner date 

(Bdubs and Fro yo! Yes please!) 

 Bedtime snuggles are our faves!!

  So I had a training at the Chicago Children's Museum Saturday.... and what came from the sky!?! WHITE STUFF!!! What in the world!? Snow in November?

Thankful for Target's Beauty Concierge making our errand stop extra special. Of course we wanted a romantic braided updo to match our hoody and short shorts ;)

Thanksgiving Hill Style 11.20.16

Sunday School 11.20.16.
3 perfect kiddos who hopefully captured the lesson of God's great ability to help them, just like He helped Nehemiah build... I think their wall is pretty impressive too & it didn't take nearly as long as Nehemiah's :)

 Birthday girl Josie!!!